Hormone Imbalance is often the missing link for several health issues you might be facing. In this article, we look in detail on the monthly cycle of hormones, how it gets thrown off and ways to keeping sex hormones in balance.

First, let’s look at some of the symptoms of hormone imbalance. Symptoms of hormonal imbalance for women include early periods, sore breasts, polycystic ovaries, fibroids, endometriosis, lumps in the breast, breast cancer, cervical cancer, polyps in the uterus or vagina, depression and even heart disease. Men also suffer from hormone imbalance and its symptoms show up as low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, prostate problems.

 

The Monthly Cycle of Sex Hormones

For starters, our sex hormones are produced from cholesterol and so if you are on cholesterol-lowering medications like Statin then you might suffer from hormone imbalance. From cholesterol, your body makes Pregnenolone, a precursor to progesterone. From progesterone, estrogen – the female hormone, testosterone – the male hormone and adrenal – the stress hormone are produced.

Ideally Progesterone, the happy hormone should dominate the typical cycle of hormones.  But generally, it is seen that estrogen becomes the dominant hormone. Estrogen plays the role of Cell Proliferator that causes massive cell growth and is responsible for fibroids etc when it is out of balance. The interplay of both these hormones keeps you in good health. Both these hormones are needed to maintain a fine balance in your body.

Day 1 to 7

Progesterone and Estrogen levels are low

 

Day 7 to Day 14

Estrogen tends to rise and is the star player at this point. It causes massive cell growth and leads to a thick build-up of the uterus lining. It causes the egg to be developed in the ovaries. Once the egg is developed now, the fallopian tube grabs it, pulling it upwards. The hole where the egg bursts forth develop a blister called the Corpus Luteum. Corpus Luteum is the center stage for the production of Progesterone.

Day 14 – Day 21

With the development of Corpus Luteum, Progesterone levels rise. So, there is no need for estrogen now and they slowly go back down. High levels of progesterone do the finishing touches to the uterus line-up, causes the women’s mood to brighten-up and also releases lubricants in the cervix making it ready for reproduction.

Day 21- Day 28

If the egg meets the sperm from the man, conception takes place and with conception, progesterone levels soar 200% to an all-time high. And, that is the reason why pregnant ladies are ever-blossoming with radiance. But if there is no conception, by day 26 progesterone is given a message to go back down and estrogen also drops. Now that both the hormones have dropped, the blood supply to the uterus is cut and it begins to shed blood.

On the other hand, men do not have a monthly cycle. But their predominant hormones are Testosterone that tends to rise in the mornings and drops as the day progresses. They also produce estradiol a type of estrogen.

 

What Causes Hormone Imbalance?

Use of Birth Pills as Contraceptives 

Contraceptive pills come at a high price of hormonal imbalance.  The contraceptive pills basically block your natural hormone receptors and disrupt the natural flow of hormones. 

High levels of estrogen cause estrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency. As a result of cell proliferation, it dilates the capillaries causing migraines, hot flashes and it causes immense cell growth leading to fibroids, cysts, weight gain, and even cancer. And, this is the reason why Hormone Replacement Therapy leads to side-effects and are not so effective after all.

 

Eating meat treated with steroid 

Animals that are raised for meat are often treated with steroid hormones including progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. These hormones are used to promote faster development in animals. The presence of hormones in meat can have a direct effect in your body and disrupts its balance. There is no conclusive evidence on this, but meat can certainly be a contributing factor to hormonal imbalance.

Usage of Plastics

The most harmful chemical found in plastics are bisphenol-a or BPA. These chemicals are known as xenohormones as they alter how natural hormones are produced, metabolized and eliminated from the body.

Application of Body Care Products

Certain body care products and household products that you use on day-to-day basic contain alarming levels of chemicals that get absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can elevate estrogen levels.

Heavily Treated Foods

Produce, grains, seeds, nut crops are heavily sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Some are also genetically modified to produce a greater yield. All of these contain endocrine disrupting chemicals that cause an imbalance and have been linked to elevated estrogen levels. It’s best to choose organic, free-range and grass-fed meat or dairy products.

 

Natural Ways to Keeping Your Sex Hormones in Balance

Eliminate

 Turn the tap off on all the causes that throw off the balance. Adopt a healthy lifestyle – eat nourishing nutrients, exercise, drop the stress, dehydrate and get enough sleep. Stop taking birth bills or synthetic hormone medications. Minimize your exposure to plastics, use BPA-free plastics and go organic as much as possible. Apply essential oils instead of using chemical-laden cosmetics like coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil.

Encourage Liver Detox

When there are high levels of estrogen in the body, the liver comes in and tries to eliminate the estrogen as toxins by disposing of it the body through urine. You can stimulate the liver to do this by eating cabbage family – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, consuming flax seeds, licorice, dandelion, Vitamin B foods.

Apply Wild Yam Cream

The application of wild yam cream stimulates the body to make its own progesterone without affecting the natural receptor pathways. Ideally, women can apply wild yam cream for 2 times a day 3 weeks in a month. Men can also use this, but they can apply just once a day.

Healing Spices and Herbs for Balance 

Use adaptogen herbs like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, holy basil. Organic soy, legumes, black cohosh, clary sage, carrots, oranges contain phytoestrogens which are good for the body to keep your estrogen levels in balance. Also, foods rich in Vitamin D and Omega fatty acids help to stabilize hormones and also keep inflammation under control.

Many of us suffer from hormone imbalance without knowing its actual causes and symptoms. It’s time to take control and follow the natural ways to maintain the right balance.

What Hormonal Imbalance Speaks About The Status of Your Health